Summary

• Twist endings don't need a total structural change to be impactful - subtle details and clever storytelling can create lasting impressions.
• Shocking twists can unfold in various genres, from psychological thrillers like "Gone Girl" to horror movies like "Orphan," leaving viewers on edge.
• Exceptional directors and talented actors, as seen in films like "The Prestige" and "Fight Club," can deliver unforgettable endings that challenge perceptions.

The ending of a movie is often one of the most critical parts of the entire feature, so when a movie nails the ending with a shocking twist, it can be incredibly rewarding. Movies are made up of several important elements, but when you break it down, it often includes a beginning, a middle and an end. Some moviemakers get creative with the way they reveal events, and it can result in a twisty, but compelling story.

However, movies don't need to completely alter their structure to deliver a satisfying ending. Sometimes, the best endings come when a film establishes a certain baseline for what the audience expects will play out, and then it subverts those expectations. Bonus points for when the movie includes subtle details that point to this unexpected ending throughout the story, but still leads viewers to think or expect something else to happen.

10 Gone Girl (2014)

Directed by David Fincher

Gone Girl is a David Fincher psychological thriller from 2014, which pretty much guarantees that the film will have some huge twists and turns throughout. However, the film, which opens up with a missing woman and the lover she left behind who appears to be clearly guilty of getting rid of her, indulges in more than just a few twists along the way. Ben Affleck's Nick struggles to understand what happened to his missing wife, Amy, played by Rosamund Pike, but about halfway through the movie, she turns up alive and well.

However, this is not the biggest or most enduring twist from the movie. Amy initially hoped to escape from her life with Nick, and planned an elaborate way out that would result in him being convicted of her murder and charged with a death sentence. But, in the latter half of the movie, she returns and finds fresh ways to manipulate and force the course of their life together. It's impossible to watch this movie and not feel physically uncomfortable as the weight and reality of all of Amy's actions come crashing down.

Gone Girl is available to stream on Star+.

9 The Prestige (2006)

Directed by Christopher Nolan

Another of the best directors in the industry today, Christopher Nolan, also has a tendency to take his movies in wild and unexpected directions. However, back in 2006 when the only other widely known project by the director was Batman Begins, it was hard to predict what kind of movie I was about to see when settling into the local theater. However, with incredible talent like Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale leading the project, I knew I had to see it.

nothing could prepare me for the horrifying truth behind how the trick was done

As the movie progressed, and the rivalry between these competing magicians plays out, their desperation and ingenuity shone through with each new method for performing their signature trick, 'The Disappearing Man' was revealed. However, the film takes a turn in the third act, with Jackman's character perfecting the trick, while Bale's is locked away. But nothing could prepare me for the horrifying truth behind how the trick was done.

The Prestige is available to stream on Max.

8 Fight Club (1999)

Directed by David Fincher

I wasn't quite old enough to see Fight Club in theaters when it came out in 1999, but the film had already attained legendary status, and by the time it came on my radar, I knew I had to see it for myself. Fortunately, the David Fincher feature film was followed by a legacy of "You don't talk about fight club," which inadvertently meant most people avoided overtly spoiling the ending. Although I was aware that a big twist was on the horizon, the sharp disparity between the two leading men expelled any hint of the fateful twist.

The movie is full of exceptionally talented actors who suck the audience in from the very start. As Edward Norton's Narrator lists his Ikea furniture, and his hollow life, Brad Pitt's Tyler Durden suddenly becomes the centerpiece of the film, with enough charisma and mystique to keep viewers from questioning why Norton's character is never named. By the time the ending rolls around, and the truth is revealed, the spell had already taken effect.

Fight Club is available to stream on Star+.

7 Parasite (2019)

Directed by Bong Joon Ho

Parasite is a rollercoaster of a psychological thriller by director Bong Joon-ho. The story follows a family who live in relatively humble and lowly circumstances, but desperately hope to elevate their status and wealth. While the family lives off of petty schemes, the son eventually finds a gig that could be the answer to the whole family's prayers.

For much of the movie, the family finds different ways to incorporate themselves in as the staff of a wealthy family in their hometown. The son tutors, and then recommends his family to take over other positions as staff for the Park family. However, the movie escalates at a rapid pace in the final act, with the crimes and intrigue exponentially increasing. When the secret apartment is revealed beneath the home, and the Kim family learn they are not the only ones abusing the trust and naïveté of the Park's, which leads to a rapid and shocking conclusion.

Parasite is available to stream on Max.

6 Inception (2010)

Directed by Christopher Nolan

In 2010, Christopher Nolan released his next major project outside The Dark Knight trilogy, Inception, and it was a movie that was groundbreaking and exciting in equal measure. Inception explores a novel concept with a group of highly skilled people who are able to navigate dreams and incept ideas into peoples' minds. And despite the complexity of the story, the ending stands out for being remarkable and shocking.

the final act of the film is full of shocking twists that leave the viewer on the edge of their seat

For a movie that spends so much time exploring the origins of thoughts and what reality actually means, the final scene of the film is a twist that leaves a lasting impression. Between the revelations of Cobb being responsible for putting the idea of reality being a dream into his wife's mind, to the lingering question of reality, the final act of the film is full of shocking twists that leave the viewer on the edge of their seat.

Inception is available to stream on Max.

5 Secret Window (2004)

Directed by David Koepp

In 2004, David Koepp, who famously wrote for films like Jurassic Park and Mission: Impossible, adapted and directed a story by Stephen King starring Johnny Depp. All the ingredients for success were there, but the film ended up with largely mixed reviews and a middling box office upon release. However, the film is a work of art that deserves more recognition, with a wide array of clever storytelling and cleverly built scenes.

The ending of Secret Window reveals the truth about Depp's Mort Rainey, and his dissociative identity disorder, which resulted in the characters from his novels surfacing in real life. The ending reveals that the fears and anxieties Mort was experiencing, and every communication with the mysterious John Shooter were the imaginings of Mort. The ending then heavily implies where his actions led following this revelation, in a horrifying twist.

Secret Window is available for renting on AppleTV.

4 Orphan (2009)

Directed by Jaume Collet-Serra

In 2009, the psychological horror movie, Orphan, was released to the world, and with it, came one of the most shocking and twisted stories on the big screen. The film follows a 9-year-old girl who is adopted by a loving family after they tragically miscarry their third child. However, from the moment that young Esther arrives in their home, there are things that begin to go wrong.

The film explores the disturbing reality that Esther is not in fact a child, and she is actually a 33-year-old serial killer who escaped from an asylum. While the film reveals her violent nature and manipulation early on, it is not until this huge reveal that things begin to make more sense, and the reality of the circumstances sink in deeply. The gruesome brawling between Esther and her adoptive mother is one of the most shocking and intense endings of any horror film.

Orphan is available to stream on Max.

3 American History X (1998)

Directed by Tony Kaye

American History X is a tragic and brilliant film exploring themes of racism and how people may be influenced into holding certain strong and extreme beliefs. The movie focuses on a boy named Danny, who finds himself ing an extreme white supremacist group which was co-founded by his older brother. However, after his brother served time in prison for brutally murdering two men, he eventually had a complete change in mindset.

despite helping his brother to improve and choose a better path, the film ends on a tragic and definitive note

Derek, played by Edward Norton, tries to help his younger brother see the error of his ways, and succeeds in shining a light on the inconsistencies and problems within his former group. However, despite helping his brother to improve and choose a better path, the film ends on a tragic and definitive note. Danny is murdered by a young boy he had lashed out at the day before.

American History X is available to stream on Prime Video.

2 Midsommar (2019)

Directed by Ari Aster

The 2019 folk horror movie starring Florence Pugh, Midsommar, is both beautiful and shocking. The film takes a closer look at a seemingly naturalistic and positive group who attend a midsummer festival in Sweden, but the realities of the cult-like behavior are soon revealed. Early in the film, the cult is seen to behave in an alarming way, but most of the group continue to be lulled into a false sense of security about what is happening.

However, the conclusion of the film is entirely unexpected. Pugh's Dani finds herself a central figure in the celebrations, and she is given the choice of who will be the final sacrifice. Having sufficiently partaken of the Kool-Aid, and being upset by the betrayal of her boyfriend Christian, she chooses that he should be the final sacrifice. Everything in this scene is shocking and twisted as the sacrifice is offered up in excruciating detail that continues to be etched in my brain to this day.

Midsommar is available to stream on Prime Video.

1 Shutter Island (2010)

Directed by Martin Scorsese

Finally, the last entry that stands out comes from 2010, with the Martin Scorsese directed Shutter Island. The movie stars Leonardo DiCaprio as U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels, who sets out to investigate mysterious disappearances on Shutter Island. The movie follows Daniels and his partner, Chuck Aule, played by Mark Ruffalo, as they investigate the island and question the few remaining staff.

However, the movie descends into dark and disturbing details as the mysterious plot thickens. While Daniels struggles to make sense of the events and evidence, the truth about the circumstances slowly comes to light. Despite his investigation, Daniels is actually a patient on the Island, named Andrew Laeddis. And in his final moments, he expresses an extraordinary clarity despite his condition, moments before he is due to be lobotomized.

Shutter Island is available to stream on Netflix.